MORE PROGRESS – AT 8:46 A.M. ET:  This election is far from over, but one thing I've noticed is the consistency of the progress for Mitt Romney.  Consider today's reports.  From CBS News:

On the heels of last week's presidential debate, Mitt Romney has emerged with a one-point edge over President Obama in Colorado and has cut the president's lead in half in Wisconsin, according to a new Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times poll.

Quinnipiac is not known as a Republican-friendly poll. 

In Wisconsin, where Mr. Obama led Romney by six percent last month, the president now holds just a three-point advantage, with 50 percent to Romney's 47 percent support. Last month, the president led Romney 51 to 45 percent.

Wisconsin is winnable, and could be critical.  It's Paul Ryan's home state.  If Ryan can bring it home, and it makes the ultimate difference, Ryan's selection by Romney will go down as a brilliant political stroke.  If it goes the other way, other opinions will be heard.

In Colorado, the two remain locked in a dead heat, with Romney leading Mr. Obama 48 percent to 47 percent, within the poll's margin of error. Last month, also within that margin, Mr. Obama had the one-point edge, with 48 percent to Romney's 47 percent.

COMMENT:  As Scott Rasmussen notes, the key point in recent polling is that Romney is making progress.  Obama is not.  Individual polls will differ.  There will be intense polling from now until election day.

There are an unusual number of close races, and Rasmussen points out that the contenders in the presidential race have essentially been within a few points of each other for months.  Polls normally have a margin of error of three or four points, making most polls fairly useless, except as a guide to trends.  Trends are now in our favor on the presidential level.

October 11, 2012